Spectroscopic Studies of Cutaneous Photosensitizing Agents—ii. Spin Trapping of Photolysis Products From Sulfanilamide and 4-Aminobenzoic Acid Using 5,5-Dimethyl-1-Pyrroline-1-Oxide

— The photodecomposition of sulfanilamide, 4-aminobenzoic acid and related analogs in aqueous solution has been studied with the aid of spin traps 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) and CH3NO2 as well as by direct electron spin resonance techniques. The NH2 radical was trapped by DMPO during the photolysis of aqueous solutions of sulfanilamide with a Xe arc lamp. Studies with [15N1]-sulfanilamide indicated that the NH2 radical was generated by homolytic fission of the sulfur-nitrogen bond. Under the same conditions DMPO trapped the H and SO−3 radicals during photolysis of sulfanic acid. Direct photolysis of sulfanilamide, sulfanilic acid and Na2SO3 in the absence of any spin trap yielded the SO−3 radical. Photolysis of 4-aminobenzoic acid at pH 7 gave the H radical which was trapped by DMPO. At low pH values OH and C6H4COOH radicals were generated during the photolysis of 4-aminobenzoic acid. No e−aq were trapped by CH3NO2 when acid (pH 4) and neutral aqueous solutions of sulfanilamide or 4-aminobenzoic acid were photoirradiated. The mechanism of formation of known photoproducts from the free radicals generated by sulfanilamide and 4-aminobenzoic acid during irradiation are discussed. The free radicals generated by these agents may play an important role in their phototoxic and photoallergic effects.